John Melcher

Second Assistant Marine Engineer of Steam or Motor Vessels, Any Horsepower

Objective

I am continuously exploring and seeking professional and/or non-professional opportunities that encourage us to further develop our skills, enhance our experience, promote mutually beneficial relationships; and in general, any opportunity seeking to affect the outcome in a positive way.

Profile and Personal Statement

As an officer and marine engineer, I am responsible for the safe and reliable operation of all shipboard machinery. I use information, critical thinking, experience and tools to prevent and solve problems.

In addition to these specialized marine engineering skills, I am capable of contributing to any organization in other, yet equally significant ways.

I strive to remain intentionally focussed and aware of the organization’s and/or ship’s primary mission at all times. This requires deliberate filtering, identification, prioritizing and execution of the specific actions necessary to fulfill the predetermined goals and objectives.

I believe the most effective way for an organization to reach its maximum potential is to create and maintain a positive, pro-active and encouraging culture; to acknowledge that each crew member’s role is essential; and to respect them accordingly. I believe the most effective method of training is "by example."

I generally assume that most issues, dilemmas and/or problems have been previously confronted and probably addressed; and the appropriate preventative measure, corrective action, solution, law, policy, practice or tradition has been documented and made available; and retrieving the specific information in a timely manner is itself a valuable skill.

I am also aware that there are specific moments when a problem must be confronted immediately, and hesitating or attempting to find an “ideal” solution is not an option (potentially leading to catastrophic consequences).

I consider myself socially flexible and culturally aware - and capable of effectively communicating, working and personally identifying with anybody- at any level of an organization.

I believe leaders emerge (regardless of job title), not necessarily by replacing their team skills for a new skill set; but, by maintaining the same team skills in addition to demonstrating greater endurance, focus and stability over time and in situations involving inconvenient circumstances (as others trend toward stress, distraction and fatigue).

I consider comfort, convenience and predictability to be effective tools for promoting and encouraging specific outcomes. I believe the more comfortable, convenient and predictable it is for people to behave in a particular way (such as wearing PPE- personal protective equipment), the more likely it is that people will act in the preferred way.

However, discomfort, inconvenience and uncertainty are a part of daily life and should not be avoided simply for the sake of avoiding them; nor should we be agitated or overwhelmed when events unfold differently than assumed.

I acknowledge that organizations (profit and no-for-profit) survive over time by continuously increasing value (profit) and reducing costs; and, by understanding that maintaining existing relationships with stakeholders is almost always more efficient and financially prudent than having to replace them.

Most significantly, I am aware that our professional and personal quality of life is absolutely dependent upon- individually and collectively- our ability to remain safe and maintain physical wellness and mental health.

Work History

Work History

Assistant Marine Engineer - Various Vessels

In addition to assisting chief engineer in all operation and maintenance of machinery - also participated in all transfers of water, fuel, oil and various drilling lubricants (mud) from shore to ship, and from ship to rig/platform

Mar 2010 - Present

Third & Second Assistant Engineer - CS Global Sentinel

Maintain cable ship in a state of readiness to immediately respond to sub-marine fiber optic cable breaks in Northern Pacific between North America and Hawaii; provide scheduled cable maintenance and surveys as necessary

Specific responsibilities include watch-standing while at sea, serving as duty and security engineer while in port, operation and maintenance of potable water system including salt-water distillers and ultra-violet sanitizers, sewage collection and treatment system, bilge system and waste oil/water (slops) management, lube oil systems, lifeboat and lifesaving equipment; assisting Chief Engineer and First Engineer in the operation and maintenance of all other machinery; assisting Chief Electrician as needed

Specific responsibilities include operation and maintenance of potable water system including Nirex salt-water distillers, sewage collection and treatment system, bilge system and waste water management, lube oil system, and assist first engineer in the operation and maintenance of all other machinery

Assist contractors and MDA employees as needed

Nov 2005 - Aug 2008

Third Assistant Marine Engineer - MV Cape Hudson

Roll-on Roll-of vessel in the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) with reduced crew while in stand-by (Reduced Operating Status - ROS); maintained in a state of readiness as to be at Full Operating Status (FOS) in five days or less

Specific responsibilities include operation and maintenance of potable water system including Nirex salt-water distillers and ultra-violet sanitizers, sewage collection and treatment system, bilge system and waste water management, lube oil systems, lifeboat and lifesaving equipment; assist first engineer in the operation and maintenance of all other machinery

Education

Education

Bachelor of Science

Associate of Applied Science Degree through Northwestern Michigan College with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through Ferris State University

Preparation for business and managerial positions with shipping companies, shipyards, ports, civil service and non-maritime businesses. Graduates are uniquely qualified for management positions in and out the maritime industry, having a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine officer’s license, a strong academic background in business and substantial field experience.

Sep 1998 - May 2003

Associate of Applied Science

Associate of Applied Science Degree through Northwestern Michigan College with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through Ferris State University.

Academic and practical training for merchant marine officers and business professionals operating commercial ships of unlimited tonnage on the Great Lakes and oceans. Engineering officers are trained in operation and maintenance of auxiliary machinery and propulsion systems including diesel, diesel-electric and high-pressure steam turbine ships. Training also includes human resources, domestic and international regulation and compliance, and ship’s business as associated with managing all onboard equipment and mechanical aspects. Three sea projects (internships) totaling 270 days are required for program completion.

Upon successful program completion, cadets are qualified to write the U.S. Coast Guard examination for licensing as a Third Assistant Engineer, Steam and Motor Vessels of any Horsepower; and are fully compliant with STCW '95 International Quality Standards. Graduates are also qualified to operate and maintain land-based power plant facilities.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator

Apr 2013

TWIC

Skills

Safety, Emergency Response and Lifesaving Equipment

No recorded or unrecorded personal workplace injuries to date after 13 years in the maritime industry
Participation in behavior-based safety program (correct and record unsafe practices as they occur, focus on identifying and minimizing high-risk behaviors)
Strictly follow a company/organization's Safety Management System (SMS) (incident and risk management, compliance and legal requirements, audits, training and documentation)
Operate and maintain lifeboats and lifeboat engines
Participation in fire, lifeboat and man overboard drills
Respond and investigate fire alarms; operate and maintain fire alarm panel and detection system, including smoke and heat detector troubleshooting
Proper and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Strict adherence to Lock-Out/Tag-Out system and confined space entry procedures
Use of gas & oxygen detectors; Competent Person Certification

Bilge Systems and Waste Water Management

Monitor bilge levels and pump as necessary
Isolate bilge water from contaminated oil and sludge as much as practical
Accurately report and record all transfers and tank levels; report total bilge and slop quantities daily
Assist chief engineer with maintaining the Oil Record Book
Minimize and/or eliminate bilge water and slops at their source
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair oily water separators, including Alfa-Laval centrifugal OWS systems.
Operate, maintain and repair pipes, pumps and valves as scheduled or necessary
Regularly test bilge "high level" alarms
Participate in tank cleaning and ABS inspections
Participate in discharge of slops to shore facilities; assume the Person In Charge (PIC) role when requested
MARPOL Annex I and all other regulatory compliance

Lube Oil Systems

Monitor oil levels and consumption of all machinery; add oil as necessary; log accordingly
Operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair Alfa-Laval centrifugal purifiers
Sample engine oil; test for water and other contaminants; record and report results
As scheduled or necessary- Inspect and/or replace lube and hydraulic oil, including filters
Participate in bunkering operations
Participate in tank cleaning and ABS inspections
Record and report oil inventory daily; assist chief engineer in maintaining Oil Record Book

Communication Systems

Communicate effectively and properly using shipboard systems; including telephone, sound-powered telephone, engine order telegraph, VHF radio and emergency signals
Communicate effectively and properly using shore-based systems; including mobile phones, text messaging and email

Microsoft Office

Effectively use Word, Outlook and Excel applications
Create interactive documents and spreadsheets (with formulas) for managing and sharing critical engine room data
Created a spreadsheet for assistant engineers to record and monitor lube oil consumption of multiple engines over time, used by chief engineer and port engineer monthly for official documentation and long-term trend analysis (CS Global Sentinel).
Created a spreadsheet for recording and monitoring potable water transfers and daily consumption, used by chief engineer, deck officers and Captain for official documentation (CS Global Sentinel)

Engine Room Watchstanding

Strictly follow chief engineer's standing and night orders; in addition to all other official policies, rules, laws and regulations
Act as chief engineer's representative in his absence while on watch
Utilize, mentor and supervise unlicensed crew members; take responsibility for their safety and actions
Start, stop and monitor all machinery locally and remotely from engine control room; make thorough rounds at regular intervals
Use of Honeywell monitoring and alarm system
Operate switchboard; including propulsion, maneuvering and electrical distribution system; parallel generators
Respond to all abnormalities and emergencies
Accurately record and sign official engine room logbook
Maintain positive relationship with captain and deck officers; communicate with bridge as needed
Call for assistance when necessary

Working on a cable ship, or in the maritime industry in general, requires a substantial personal commitment. Although there is no compensation that can replace time away from home &amp; family, knowing that we are solving real problems and delivering real goods and improving the lives of real people makes it a little easier to sleep at night (not to mention long hours and lots of hard work). See also-
CS Global Sentinel connects U.S. to Asia (KGO San Francisco local news)

Second Assistant Engineer of Motor Vessels of Any Horsepower. Also; Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) of Steam or Motor Vessels of Any Horsepower). Licenses held with the United States and The Republic of the Marshall Islands. All supplemental documentation including MMD, STCW, TWIC and U.S. Passport are current.